Here are more all-purpose party games. You will find that they are appropriate for a wide range of ages and abilities. They require few materials and little planning for those times when you need a little something extra to pass the time.

Pass the Beanbag

This fun game is similar to Hot Potato, but because it is noncompetitive, no one is eliminated.

• Have players sit cross-legged and form a circle on the floor.

• Give the children the beanbag or ball and show them how to pass it around the circle.

• While the children are passing the bean bag, teach them the following song, sung to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”:

  Pass the beanbag ‘round the ring

  Pass the beanbag while we sing.

  Pass the beanbag to your friend

  In a circle without end.

  Pass the beanbag ‘round the ring

  Pass the beanbag while we sing.

• Once the beanbag is moving, give directions on how to pass the beanbag (low, high, fast, or slow).

Sleeping Lions

As with many other activities in this chapter, you can adapt this game to meet the theme of your party.

• Divide the guests into two groups. One group is the lions; the other group is the safari photographers.

• Instruct the lions to lie down and pretend to be sleeping.

• The photographers are to sneak up as close as they can to take a picture without waking the lions.

• When the lions awaken, they are to roar and scare away the other group.

• Make sure that all children get a turn to be in both groups.

Blob Race

Although relay races may be too complex for young children, they will enjoy this simplified version.

• Divide the guests into two teams. Designate a starting and a finish line for the race.

• On your signal, teams are to race to the finish line. The one rule is that all members must stay connected. You can have them run different heats with variations. They can form a train, hold hands, or make a giant hug circle. See what other ideas they can dream up.

Silly Says

Here is a simplified version of Simon Says. In this adaptation, the leader is not trying to “trick” anyone.

• Start the game with an adult as the leader to show the children how it is played. Then each child can take a turn being the leader.

• The leader picks out a character to imitate and calls out the directions using that persona (“Barney says” or “the Easter Bunny says”).

• The leader tells the group what to do (jump, spin, or touch their nose).